Miss Universe in PH: Other venues eyed for pageant events

MANILA, Philippines – Hosting the prestigious Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines comes with a host of issues that must be addressed – among them: Metro Manila’s traffic jams and upholding public safety.

These are key issues which were tackled in the first meeting of the Philippine Host Committee (PHC), which comprises several agencies, in their preparations to host Miss Universe in the country.

“The maddening traffic mess is obviously the one single problem that besets our daily economic activities in Metro Manila, and we will find ways so as not to aggravate this with the hosting of Miss Universe,” said Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Teo in a press release, adding: “Or better yet, the hosting committee might as well come up with a solution to the traffic gridlock.”

Acknowledging this possible inconvenience to the general public, the committee is looking at venues outside Metro Manila for the pageant events like Palawan, Cebu, Batangas, and Isabela Province.

Other “world-class attractions” in Davao City, Vigan, and Cagayan de Oro – the reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach’s hometown – are also being considered as venues for pre-coronation segments.

The coronation night, however, will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena on January 30, 2017, as scheduled.

The PHC, led by the DOT, presented to the office of President Rodrigo Duterte a draft administrative order that would organize at least 12 agencies to “map out the master plan for holding the event.”

PHC comprises of officials from the Office of the Executive Secretary; the departments of Public Works and Highways; Foreign Affairs; Trade and Industry; Information and Communications Technology; Interior and Local Government; Transportation; Health; Bureau of Immigration of the Department of Justice; Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue of the Department of Finance; Philippine National Police; and the Manila International Airport Authority.

Other issues tackled by the committee in their first meeting include hosting the Miss Universe contestants from over 90 countries – as well as organizers – and security measures that would be set in place for the venues.

Among the key concerns that was also raised was coordinating with the private sector, as the President had approved the plans only after Tourism Secretary Teo – with Pia Wurtzbach – assured that the private sponsors would shoulder the budget for hosting the pageant in the Philippines.  (READ: Confirmed: Miss Universe pageant to be held in PH – DOT)

According to the DOT, the cost for hosting the pageant is estimated at $11 million. – Rappler.com